A Week of Blessings, Growth, and New Beginnings in Southern Utah

A Week of Blessings, Growth, and New Beginnings in Southern Utah

This past week has been a whirlwind of meaningful experiences here in beautiful St. George and up in Cedar City! From spiritual nourishment to professional development and supporting young members of our community, it's been a full and fulfilling time.

Last Saturday started with a peaceful visit to the St. George Temple where I had the privilege of participating in vicarious sealing ordinances for some of my departed ancestors. There's a profound sense of connection and peace that comes from performing these sacred ordinances, and it was a wonderful way to begin the weekend.

Later that day, I enjoyed a unique cultural experience at the historic St. George Tabernacle. There was a fantastic Celtic concert playing, and to my amusement, they even wove in some fun, lighthearted back-to-school themes! It was a delightful blend of music and local charm.

Sunday brought the regular blessings of attending church. In our ward council meeting I helped focus on something close to my heart: how we can better support and include individuals in our congregation who are currently widows, widowers, or single. It's always inspiring to collaborate with dedicated leaders who genuinely care about everyone feeling connected and loved. We also had the sweet opportunity to participate in send-off activities for two remarkable young adults from our congregation from the Emerson family. They are both preparing to serve as full-time missionaries in Spanish-speaking countries, and we are so excited for the positive impact they will have. Their enthusiasm and faith are truly inspiring! One of my nephews, Ammon Stevens, will be leaving this week to serve a full time mission in Mexico!

This week also marked my first full week serving students in the Iron County School District in Cedar City. It's been wonderful getting to know the different schools and the dedicated staff. I wrote and published a new song for Fiddlers CanyonElementary based on the school motto and sang it with the awesome Angela Barrick. her class, and my awesome speech aide Bethany Bundy!

A significant part of my week was dedicated to my new assignment working with students with severe disabilities ages 18-21 at Post High in Cedar City. I spent time preparing my initial lessons, and I'm happy to report that the first few days went really well! It's incredibly rewarding to connect with these students and begin working towards their individual goals. I was able to better connect with one student and one aide by using my Spanish skills! I'm feeling optimistic and energized by this new chapter.

Professionally, I also engaged in some valuable professional development. I learned how to administer articulation and oral language assessments for young people using iPads. It's amazing how technology can enhance our ability to understand and support our students' communication needs.

In my personal time, I've continued my enjoyable re-read of the seventh Harry Potter book – there's always something new to glean from those pages! I've also been spending time studying in the Doctrine and Covenants and General Conference talks about the Word of Wisdom. It's fascinating to delve deeper into the Lord's health guidelines and reflect on the principles of nourishing our bodies well, understanding that "grain is the staff of life," "herbs should be used in their season," "meat should be used sparingly," and that "hot drinks and tobacco" are to be avoided. It’s a reminder of the holistic nature of God’s care for us.

Looking ahead to tomorrow, I'm excited to be in church to support my talented nephew Ty Weston, who will be playing a piano solo! It's always a joy to witness the young people in our family share their gifts.

It's been a busy but blessed week, filled with opportunities to serve, learn, and connect. I'm grateful for the rich tapestry of experiences that make up life here in Southern Utah!